The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced the conviction of Mr. Solomon Ogodo, a Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for forgery, employment racketeering, and fraud.

Mr. Ogodo was found guilty of defrauding unsuspecting job seekers of a total sum of N12,200,000 under the guise of securing employment opportunities for them in the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCoS).

He was arraigned in December 2022 on a five-count charge before Justice M.S. Idris of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi, Abuja.

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According to a statement released by the ICPC’s Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Mr. Demola Bakare on Tuesday, the convict had forged provisional employment offers to deceive his victims into parting with their money.

The Commission’s prosecutor, Mr. Hamza Sani, provided evidence during the trial showing how Mr. Ogodo carried out these fraudulent activities.

The court found Mr. Ogodo guilty of violating provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, the Penal Code Act, and the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006.

In his ruling on Monday, Justice Idris sentenced Mr. Ogodo to seven years’ imprisonment on counts 1 to 3 without an option of a fine.

On count 4, the convict received a two-month prison sentence or an option of a N5,000 fine, and on count 5, he was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment without an option of a fine.

Furthermore, the court ordered Mr. Ogodo to refund the N12,200,000 he fraudulently obtained from his victims, in line with Section 319(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

During the sentencing, Mr. A. A. Nwoye, counsel for the convict, pleaded with the court to consider community service as an alternative to imprisonment.

However, the court upheld the prosecution’s request for restitution and delivered its sentence accordingly.

The ICPC reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption and protecting citizens from fraudulent schemes.

The Enugu State Police Command has dismantled a notorious interstate criminal syndicate involved in armed robbery and financial fraud.

The operation, described as a major breakthrough, led to the arrest of eight suspects, including a dismissed soldier, and the recovery of weapons, cash, and stolen items.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday.

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He noted that the joint operation, involving the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the Neighbourhood Watch Group, was initiated following a distress call on November 12, 2024.

“This was achieved through coordinated operations involving the Emene Division, Crack, and Octopus Tactical Squads, alongside the Neighbourhood Watch Group, which led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, cash, and other stolen items,” DSP Ndukwe said.

The police operation began in the early hours of November 12, 2024, after officers responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery at an estate in Emene, Enugu.

During the operation, one suspect, 23-year-old Ismaila Isah, was apprehended with a locally made pistol, ₦300,450 in cash, and stolen items.

Following Isah’s arrest, further investigations led to the capture of additional members of the syndicate.

“Ismaila was later transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad for further investigation. His confessional statements and subsequent discreet investigations led to the arrest of Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu,” the statement revealed.

In a related development, two other suspects, Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru, were arrested in Owerri, Imo State.

“Operatives from the Octopus Tactical Squad utilised an intelligence report and arrested Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru in Owerri, Imo State.

During interrogation, they admitted to using phones stolen by the syndicate to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ bank accounts,” Ndukwe added.

The operation also yielded a large cache of stolen items. Among the recovered items were:.Two locally made pistols (one with a live cartridge and another with an expended cartridge), ₦300,450 in cash, 10 laptops, 10 mobile phones, land documents, jewellery, watches, an MP3 player, headphones, four power banks, two SIM cards, bags, and footwear.

The suspects have confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and using stolen SIM cards to conduct fraudulent bank transactions.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and exploited victims’ SIM cards to commit fraud,” said Ndukwe.

The dismissed soldier, Sadik Ahmed, allegedly used his military training to evade police checkpoints and transport stolen goods across state borders.

“Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, admitted to using his security background to bypass police checkpoints while trafficking stolen items across the state,” the statement read.

The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations. DSP Ndukwe expressed the police command’s commitment to tackling crime in the state, highlighting the importance of community collaboration.

“The operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling crime in the state, and we commend the efforts of our officers and the Neighbourhood Watch Group in ensuring the success of this operation,” Ndukwe concluded.

A Perth man has been convicted of murdering his mother to claim over $1 million in life insurance payouts, funding his lavish lifestyle and covering substantial debts.

Andre Zachary Rebelo, 28, a crypto trader, was found guilty of killing his 58-year-old mother, Colleen Rebelo, in May 2020.

Her body was discovered in her bathroom by her youngest son, with initial investigations failing to suspect foul play.

An autopsy could not determine the cause of death, and the case was initially treated as natural.

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However, a subsequent investigation uncovered that just a week before her death, Rebelo had taken out three separate life insurance policies totaling $1.2 million AUD (£500,000), naming himself as the sole beneficiary.

At the time, Rebelo and his then-partner, Instagram influencer Grace Piscopo, were showcasing a luxurious lifestyle on social media, boasting about holidays, expensive cars, and lavish experiences.

Behind the scenes, however, they were facing financial ruin, burdened with over $120,000 AUD in debts.

After Colleen’s death, Rebelo moved quickly to claim the insurance payouts, submitting falsified documents, including forged medical records and a fake coroner’s report.

He even used AI technology to impersonate his mother’s psychologist in a voicemail to the insurer.

Suspicious of the claims, an insurance company employee flagged the case, leading to a police investigation.

In 2022, Rebelo was arrested and charged with his mother’s murder.